As spring's warmth takes hold and you make your way to wineries, farmers markets and other outdoor attractions, be on the lookout for the Lehigh Valley's tastiest new addition on wheels: the Bob-B-Q Sliders & Sides food truck.

The enterprise, co-owned by father and daughter Bob and Alexis Gates, began serving its signature sandwiches and sides on Saturday outside Allentown's Bridgeworks Enterprise Center, home to The Colony Meadery, County Seat Spirits and Hijinx Brewing Co.

Starting out, the truck will operate everyday except Monday at various spots throughout the area, with a list of scheduled locations available on the company's website, thebobbqtruck.com, and Facebook page, Bob-B-Q Sliders & Sides Truck.

"This is our first year, so we will be all over the place, figuring out which venues work best," said Alexis Gates, a resident of Fountain Hill. "We've already confirmed spots at a few farmers markets, and are also looking at industrial parks, breweries and wineries."

The black truck, outfitted with a new commercial smoker, oven, char-top grill and two-burner stove, serves three types of sliders: pulled pork (smoked for 14 hours and served with homemade coleslaw), shredded beef brisket (smoked for 16 hours and served with barbecue sauce and a dill pickle), and jerk chicken (slow-roasted and served with jerk and tropical pineapple sauces).

Bob-B-Q Slliders & More will bring savory sandwiches to the Lehigh Valley's streets. Here, Bob Gates, holds a pulled-pork slider with cole slaw and baked beans. His daughter Alexis Gates holds a jerk chicken slider with a garden salad. (CHRIS KNIGHT, SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL)

Prices range from $3.50-$5.50 for one slider to $9.50-$11.50 for three.

Customers also can choose to add a drink and side — from fries and pierogies to baked beans and garden salad — for $2. Weekly specials will include salmon, portobello mushroom and shrimp po' boy sliders, among others.

Bob Gates, who labels himself a "longtime backyard griller," is the truck's head chef, with Alexis handling the service and marketing aspects.

The duo traces the truck's origins to Bob's World Famous seasonings, which Bob Gates has been selling online since 2009. All of the truck's meats are rubbed with them and the fries are seasoned with them. They are also available for purchase during truck stops.

Another stepping stone to the truck's debut came in 2012 when Bob Gates, a Moore Township resident, purchased a trailer — complete with a smoker, pig roaster and chicken roaster — and began competing in regional barbecue competitions.

"I would constantly joke with her, asking, 'Are you putting out your resume? There's always a hot dog cart,'" her father recalled.

The joke was just that until September 2014, when Bob Gates got laid off from his commercial property management job and decided to enlist his daughter's assistance in launching his "mobile gourmet kitchen."

"I figured this was the best time to follow the barbecue food truck dream as they [food trucks] are really up and coming, especially in the Lehigh Valley," he explained.

The truck, whose backside features the company's pig mascot, Bubba, is a true family affair with Bob's wife and Alexis' stepmom, Sandy, helping out when she can, and Bob's daughter and Alexis' sister, Kelsi, hoping to join the business following her graduation from Temple University

It also has confirmed appearances at Bucks County Winery in Pipersville, Galen Glen Winery in Andreas and Weyerbacher Brewing Co. in Easton. Catering requests for any occasion can be made by calling 610-417-4756.

If the warm weather has you craving ice cream more than sliders, I have some good and bad news to report.

I'll start with the bad: April 4 marked the last day of business for Cold Stone Creamery in Lower Macungie Township's West Valley Marketplace, which is at Hamilton Boulevard and Mill Creek Road.

According to franchisee Roseann Remaly, who operated the 10-year-old parlor with her husband, Steve, the lease was up and the decision was made to not renew it.

The couple continue to run the 7-year-old Cold Stone Creamery in the Crest Plaza shopping center on North Cedar Crest Boulevard in South Whitehall Township.

The Arizona-based company, which boasts approximately 1,500 locations in more than 25 countries, is known for its signature ice cream, cakes, pies, shakes, smoothies, sorbets and frozen yogurt. Other area locations can be found at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township and on Route 309 in Quakertown. Info: coldstonecreamery.com.

Now for the good news: Bank Street Creamery reopened on March 27 at 15 S. Bank St. in Easton.

The ice cream parlor, established in 1998, would close from December to mid-March under previous owner Lynn Wallen. However, new owner Brooks Minnick, who lives above the shop, plans to keep it open year-round.

Minnick, who purchased the shop (along with its 96 recipes) in January, changed the look of the space by adding slate tabletops (made out of quoit boards) and painting the purple walls gray (the shop was originally known as Purple Cow Creamery).

"Typically, in season, there were 48 flavors to choose from," Minnick said. "The shop will still have those flavors, but they'll rotate among 24 spaces. We're also playing with a few new ones such as vanilla bourbon caramel."

The cold treats can also be found at Easton Farmers Market and its Winter Mart, as well as popular Easton eateries such as Ocean, Maxim's 22, Mesa Modern Mexican and 3rd & Ferry Fish Market.

The shop will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays until June. Info: bankstreetcreamery.com.

Another fast-casual eatery is set to join Chipotle Mexican Grill in the new Airport Pointe shopping center, neighboring the Airport Center, on Airport Road in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

MOD Pizza, a Seattle-based chain specializing in artisan-style "made-on-demand (MOD)" pizzas, will open its first Lehigh Valley location in May, according to its website.

Founded in 2008, the company allows customers to create their own pizzas and salads using any combination of 30 featured toppings, including arugula, Italian sausage and sun-dried tomatoes. Also available are classic options such as the Tristan (mozzarella, asiago, roasted red peppers, mushrooms and pesto), as well as hand-spun milkshakes, homemade ice teas and other beverages.

Pizzas, cooked in an 800-degree oven in less than three minutes, are the same price regardless of the number of toppings. Info: modpizza.com.

If you're looking for a new spring wardrobe, two stores selling clothing for children, teens and young adults recently opened in Northampton County.

First, Upscale Stylez, specializing in second-hand brand-name clothing and accessories for teens and young adults, opened April 1 at 312 E. Third St. in south Bethlehem.

The Third & Polk Building also houses businesses such as Molinari's, California Tan and Steel Vapor.

According to owner Diane Frisk of Hellertown, Upscale Stylez isn't considered a consignment shop because she pays cash for items upfront. Examples of name brands that she seeks include: Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, Coach, Hollister and Victoria's Secret.

"College kids love to shop and they also love money," joked Frisk, noting she chose the location due to its close proximity to Lehigh University and the under-construction Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts. Info: 610-419-2372.

The store, owned by Alesia Coulter of Bethlehem, carries clothing and accessories for children (newborn to size 12), as well as a small selection of toys. Hard-to-find brands include Tea, Joules, Morgan & Milo, Livie & Luca, Zutano and See Kai Run.

"I think it's safe to say that we have one of the largest shoe selections for children in the Lehigh Valley with over 40 different styles," Coulter said. "We also carry the hard-to-find Communion dress, suits and accessories." Info: 610-866-2505.

I'll finish with news on two wellness-based businesses in Lehigh County.

First, Wilay Boensch of Lancaster-based LMS Commercial Real Estate recently secured a lease with Macungie Nail & Spa for a 1,600-square-foot space at The Shoppes at Macungie, according to a news release.

Messages seeking a tentative opening date were not returned by owner Phu Nguyen. The shop will join the West Main Street center's wide variety of other tenants, including CVS Pharmacy, Domino's Pizza and Little Tree Child Care.

Second, the Emmaus Main Street Partners will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony with light refreshments and a raffle at 5:30 p.m. May 8 at The Breastfeeding Shop in Emmaus.

The store at 344 Main St. sells breast pumps; breast-feeding accessories such as nursing clothing, cover-ups and pillows; and an array of prenatal and postpartum support products. There also are pacifiers, cloth diapers and essential oils. Info: 866-255-6779 or thebreastfeedingshop.com.

Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, store opening or chain you'd like to see come to the area? Contact reporter Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.